Josh,

On the DX6i, in the upper left hand corner, there is a switch, on the radio it is labelled F. Mode. Most people call it idle up...

And you are correct, you really only want to switch it once you are in the air, not on the ground or at take off...

And, you never want to hit it unless you have confidence built up with it...the noob will have a tendancy to chop the throttle in an emergency, and this will drive the heli straight into the ground because of the negative pitch...so it should not be used until you are fully ready for the negative pitch.

It will also increase the headspeed (the speed at which the rotors turn) so the heli will become super responsive, and be a handful for the beginner...and a bit intimidating as well...[X(]

So, the F.Mode/stunt mode/idle up (whichever you chose) is something that you don't really need at the beginning, just concentrate on nice, normal hovering and flight...

Glenn